With reference to your story Donald Trump asks justice department to investigate New York Times op-ed (September 7), it would be more productive for US President Donald Trump's team to analyse the controversial article and review the changes required in policy or operational style to bring about a more inclusive government and country, rather than launch a witch-hunt for the person who wrote the article.
Many years ago a schoolteacher taught me: “Your critics are your best friends, if you view them objectively.” It is important to be ice-cold in the midst of a major attack and view the criticism dispassionately.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
It is time for Donald Trump to be introspective and discuss matters freely and openly with his staff in the White House.
There is an element of fear and uncertainty hampering the functioning of this vital organ in America and this could send the wrong signals around the globe to undermine its governance over US interests.
Name withheld by request
Friday sermon adapted for all is a vital service to many of us
With regards to your editorial Thanks to technology, the Friday sermon has a whole new audience (September 6), it is indeed very heartening to note that UAE authorities remain connected to the people residing in the Emirates and promptly respond to their needs and aspirations, as originally articulated in your August 16 story Non-Arabic speakers in UAE want to understand Friday sermon. The new smartphone app will make the translation of the weekly Friday Arabic sermon available in several languages.
The National deserves due credit in equal measure for being proactive in this regard through its much appreciated Friday column dedicated to the abridged English translation of the weekly sermon, which has been running for a long time before it became available through other platforms.
Mohammad Hamza, Dubai
No sum can truly compensate lives lost in bridge collapse
Regarding your story about the Kolkata bridge collapse (September 5), the disaster that struck the 40-year-old Majerhat highway on Tuesday, leaving three fatalities and at least 25 injured, was tragic to read. Many cars and vehicles fell from a great height and metro workers were trapped.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Bannerjee has ordered a high level inquiry, led by a committee, to investigate the real cause for the collapse amid fears at least 20 bridges in the city are unsafe. She said many were past their expiry date.
This incident is unacceptable and there are concerns that poor construction could be the reason behind the bridge collapsing.
The guilty should not be spared. In recent months, there have been many similar incidents around the globe.
Not only are these incidents heartbreaking for all but no amount of compensation can bring back lost lives.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
